"All people deserve respect, and nobody's sexuality should be made a public fixation," Thiel wrote in his Times piece. "Unfortunately, lurid interest in gay life isn't a thing of the past."

It looks like Thiel isn't done with Gawker. Reuters reported Thursday he made an offer to buy Gawker, "hoping to overcome legal hurdles and rival bidders for the online news site..."

Univision purchased the site's parent company Gawker Media, which owns operating websites like Jezebel and Deadspin, in 2016. Part of the $135 million deal was the stipulation that no articles could be published on Gawker until March 9, 2018 - a date fast approaching.

Reuters writes, "Thiel has not said why he wants Gawker, though the potential acquisition would let him take down stories regarding his personal life that are still available on the website, and remove the scope for further litigation between him and Gawker." Gawker's lawyers tried to block Thiel's bid, according to court papers obtained by the news outlet.

The website's bankruptcy attorney Gregg Galardi asked a U.S. bankruptcy court judge in late November to deny the billionaire's request to bid, arguing Thiel is "not a 'proper' purchaser" because he could end up suing himself, the papers say.

The announcement of a winning bid could come as soon as this month but it would have to be approved by a U.S. bankruptcy court judge. If Holden rejects Thiel's bid, the businessman could request the judge consider it if it is higher than other offers.